Your Next Guitar Already Sounds Broken In
You know that sound you usually have to wait years for—when a guitar's top finally opens up, the stiffness gives way, and everything just resonates? This Martin delivers it from the first chord. The DE Retro Plus Granadillo uses torrefied spruce for the top, a thermal aging process that simulates decades of play time. You're not waiting for this guitar to mature. It's already there, with bold projection and the kind of vintage character Martin's 28-style dreadnoughts have been known for since the golden era.
Pair that thermally aged top with solid granadillo back and sides, and you've got a tonal combination built for power and clarity. Deep, supportive bass that holds down the low end without booming. Clear, articulate highs that cut through a mix. And a complex midrange that makes rhythm work satisfying and lead lines sing. Whether you're driving rhythm in a bluegrass band or fingerpicking through a ballad in your living room, this dreadnought has the authority and balance to meet the moment.
This is a Road Series guitar, which means it's built for players who actually play—on stage, in the studio, at rehearsals, wherever. Scalloped X-bracing gives the top room to breathe and respond to your touch. LR Baggs Element electronics keep your tone natural when you plug in. And Martin's Performing Artist neck profile with a modern high-performance taper makes the 25.4-inch scale feel fast and comfortable, even during long sets. If you want a Martin dreadnought that sounds like it's been played for years and feels ready to work right now, this is it.
Torrefied Spruce and Solid Granadillo Tonewood Pairing
The top is where this guitar makes its first impression, and Martin didn't hold back. The torrefied solid spruce top has been thermally aged to break down the lignin in the wood, mimicking what happens naturally over decades of playing and vibration. The result is a top that's more resonant, more responsive, and more open from day one. You get that played-in warmth and depth without the wait.
Granadillo is a dense, beautiful tonewood from Central and South America, and it brings serious sonic muscle to this dreadnought. The solid granadillo back and sides deliver powerful bass response with excellent sustain and overtone complexity. It's not as bright as rosewood, not as warm as mahogany—it sits right in between with a balanced voice that works across genres. The scalloped X-bracing pattern lets the top move freely while keeping the structure tight, so you get dynamic punch and tonal clarity whether you're strumming hard or playing with a light touch.
The gloss finish on the top, back, and sides includes an aging toner that gives the guitar a played-in look to match its seasoned sound. White binding and a multi-stripe top inlay add classic Martin visual elegance, while the faux tortoise pickguard and Style 28 Boltaron rosette tie the aesthetic back to Martin's iconic heritage models.
Performing Artist Neck and Stage-Ready Playability
Martin's Performing Artist neck profile is designed for players who need comfort and speed without sacrificing stability. The select hardwood neck features a modern high-performance taper that starts at 1 3/4 inches at the nut and opens up to 2 1/8 inches at the 12th fret, giving your fretting hand plenty of room to work without feeling cramped. The satin neck finish keeps things smooth and non-sticky, so your hand glides easily up and down the 25.4-inch scale length.
The ebony fingerboard is dense, responsive, and built to last. It hosts 20 frets with a 16-inch radius and classic Style 28 dot inlays that keep the look timeless and familiar. The ebony bridge and white Tusq saddle work together to transfer string energy efficiently, giving you clear note definition and excellent sustain. Nickel open-gear tuners with butterbean knobs add vintage appeal and rock-solid tuning stability, even during extended playing sessions.
The mortise and tenon neck joint is a traditional construction method that maximizes contact between the neck and body, improving resonance and sustain. You'll feel the difference in how the whole guitar vibrates as a single unit when you play. Factor in Martin's Plek'd setup process, which ensures precise fret leveling and intonation across the entire fretboard, and you've got a guitar that plays as well as it sounds.
LR Baggs Element Electronics for Natural Amplified Tone
The LR Baggs Element pickup system is a favorite among working acoustic players, and for good reason. The low-profile undersaddle transducer captures the guitar's natural resonance and dynamic range without coloring the tone. You get a clear, balanced signal that translates beautifully through a PA or acoustic amplifier, whether you're playing a coffeehouse gig or a festival stage.
The onboard preamp features a simple, unobtrusive volume control mounted just inside the soundhole, so you can make quick adjustments without disrupting your performance. The Element system is voiced for warmth, clarity, and responsiveness, ensuring that the powerful dreadnought character and vintage-inspired tone of the DE Retro Plus remain intact when you plug in. This is a guitar you can rely on in any amplified setting, with electronics that stay out of the way and let your playing shine.
Product Features:
- Torrefied solid spruce top delivers instant vintage tone with bold projection and open resonance
- Solid granadillo back and sides provide powerful bass, clear highs, and complex midrange character
- Scalloped X-bracing enhances dynamic response and tonal balance
- D-14 fret dreadnought body delivers classic Martin volume and authority
- Performing Artist neck profile with high-performance taper (1 3/4" nut width) for comfortable, fast playability
- 25.4-inch scale length with ebony fingerboard and 20 frets
- LR Baggs Element electronics with undersaddle transducer and soundhole-mounted volume control
- Style 28 appointments including dot inlays, Boltaron rosette, and faux tortoise pickguard
- Ebony bridge with white Tusq saddle and nickel open-gear tuners
- Gloss finish with aging toner for vintage-inspired aesthetic
Brand: Martin
Model: DE Retro Plus Granadillo
SKU: 11DERETROPLUSGRW
Condition: New
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
